SAN BERNARDINOCOUNTYFIRE DEPARTMENT

RIDE ALONG PROGRAM

Thank you for your interest in our CountyFire Department ride along Program. We look forward to providing you an interesting experience. Our aim is to expose you to the wide range of operations handled by your Fire Department. Obviously, we sometimes find ourselves in difficult, if not dangerous situations, however your safety as well as all others involved is the priority. You will be provided a “Ride Along Supervisor” whose responsibility will be to ensure your safety.

This information packet will explain the process of application and some of the safety rules that will ensure a valuable experience. Included in your packet you will find the following:

1)A Ride Along Application

2)A Ride Along Participant Guideline sheet*

3)A Release and Hold Harmless Agreement*

4)A Ride Along Comment Sheet

* Participant signature required

Please read carefully all the information provided and complete any written requirements. items 1 through 3 should be returned to the Battalion headquarters. The ride along comment sheet is to be kept by you to complete at the end of your shift. It can be turned into your ride along supervisor or to the Battalion headquarters. Please note that depending on your level of participation, you may be asked to complete other required documentation. When all documentation is completed, you will be contacted concerning the date and location of the ride along shift.

Thank you once again for your interest. If you have any questions please call any of the following locations.

Mountain Battalion HeadquartersLakeArrowhead(909) 337-8586

West Valley Battalion HeadquartersFontana(909) 829-4441

North Desert Battalion HeadquartersWrightwood(619) 249-3206

South Desert Battalion HeadquartersYuccaValley(619) 365-3335

SAN BERNARDINOCOUNTY

FIRE DEPARTMENT

RIDE ALONG APPLICATION

Name Phone ( )

Address

City Zip State

Date of Birth Occupational/Training Program

Person to Contact in Emergency:

Name Phone ( )

Address

City Zip State

What is your interest in riding along with the Fire Department?

For Fire Department use:

The individual whose name appears on this form has been scheduled for a ride along on:

Date Station Shift From to

Ride Along Supervisor Approved by Division Chief (name)

Participant notified by: Participant Category Type:

All required documentation on file:Date Received by

Notes:

RIDE ALONG PARTICIPANT GUIDELINES

  1. After receiving and completing all forms in the ride along packet, participants should deliver all required documentation to the nearest Battalion Headquarters. After receiving the completed forms, a ride along shift will be scheduled. Shifts will be scheduled at least one week in advance.
  1. Participants will be directed to report to a designated station and appropriate supervisor.
  1. Participants must follow all guidance given by the ride along supervisor which will include:
  1. Remaining in the fire apparatus until told to do otherwise.
  1. Wearing all safety equipment as directed.
  1. Not entering any hazardous or restricted area unless accompanied by fire department personnel.
  1. Not interfering with operations unless specifically directed to participate under the supervision of the ride along supervisor.
  1. Students will not be involved in active firefighting operations nor be allowed in any area deemed hazardous by the ride along supervisor or incident commander.
  1. Students under direct supervision are allowed limited participation in salvage and overhaul operations when full safety equipment is donned.
  1. No photography or recording devices may be utilized without specific authorization from the ride along supervisor.
  1. Participants may not enter any private residence, hospital emergency department or other facility without the permission of the ride along supervisor, emergency department staff or facility representative.
  1. Under supervision, participants may assist with routine station and equipment maintenance as directed.
  1. Participants will be encouraged to remove themselves from any situation where that person is uncomfortable with the graphic or hazardous nature of a scene. The ride along supervisor will ensure a safe retreat.
  1. Clothing routinely work by fire/medical personnel is appropriate.
  1. Students will wear the uniform dictated by the sponsoring program. At a minimum, work type pants, shirt and hard-toed shoes will be worn.
  1. Observational participants will wear long pants, collared shirt or blouse and sturdy shoes. Not hats, tee shirts, shorts, skirts, dresses, high heels, sandals or beach shoes.
  1. The “Citizen Observer identification tag will be worn throughout the course of the shift. The I.D. tag will be provided at the fire station.
  1. The ride along supervisor has the final authority on the appropriate dress of the participant.
  1. Ride along shift hours will remain as scheduled by fire department or school program administration.
  1. Standard shift hours will be from 8 AM to 8 PM and may be condensed to 4-hour minimum increments between these hours.
  1. The shift hours may be restricted due to fire department operational or training needs.
  1. The minimum age to participate in the program is 16 years old. This age limit will be exempted only for controlled functions (i.e. parades, etc.)

I have read and understand the information and safety rules outlined above.

Signed Date

RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT

FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO

I, , fully understand that my

(Last) (First) (Middle)

participation in the (hereafter referred to as “the Event”) exposes me to the risk of personal injury, death or property damage. I hereby acknowledge that I am voluntarily participating in this event and expressly agree to assume any such risks.

In consideration for being permitted to participate in the event, I hereby release and forever discharge the County Of San Bernardino, its officers, employees, agents and volunteers for any injury, death or damage to or loss of personal property arising out of or in connection with my participation in the Event from whatever cause, including the active or passive negligence of the County of San Bernardino, its officers, employees, agents and volunteers or any other participants in the Event.

In further consideration for being allowed to participate in the Event, I hereby agree, for myself, my heirs, administrators, executors and assigns, that I shall indemnify and hold harmless the County Of San Bernardino, its officers, employees, agents and volunteers from any and all claims, demands, actions or suits arising out of or in connection with my participation in the Event brought by any third party.

I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT AND FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENTS. I AM AWARE THAT IT IS A FULL RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY AND SIGN IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL.

Dated

Signature

Parent or Guardian if under 18

SAN BERNARDINOCOUNTY

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Ride Along Comments

Observer Fire Station Shift Time From To

Supervisor Ride Along Date

We appreciate you taking the time to answer this questionnaire. Your responses will enable us to evaluate how you, as a representative of the Community, perceive the Fire Service and how we perform our service in the Community.

Yes/No

Were you given sufficient information to enable you to understand:

The emergency dispatches the crews handled?

The procedures that the crews used in responding

to and handling various types of emergencies?

How the fire/rescue crew determined the most effective

way to resolve each incident?

Did your Ride Along experience give you more insight to:

The variety of calls for service the Fire Department responds

to on a daily basis?

The non-emergency responsibilities performed by fire

department personnel (fire/injury prevention, training, etc.)?

Additional Comments:

4220June 1997